How to Select the Right Indian Ethnic Jewelry for Your Needs

At Attrangi, we know how appealing Indian jewellery can be. It's more than just decoration; it celebrates cultural heritage, a colourful fabric woven with history, meaning, and skill. Choosing the right pieces of ethnic jewellery can be challenging, whether you're an experienced collector or just starting. 

From The Traditional To The Modern, Understanding The Spectrum

Indian jewellery is beautiful because it comes in so many different styles. There is a wide range of jewellery styles, from the classic beauty of temple jewellery to the modern style of fusion jewellery and the trendy appeal of fancy artificial jewellery. Take a look at the main groups below:

  • Temple Jewelry: Temple jewellery is traditional and based on the intricate designs and sacred symbols in temple buildings. Think of heavy gold necklaces with valuable stones, fancy headpieces, and fancy armlets. They were usually worn at religious events, but modern versions of gold-plated metal or hand-crafted brass make them suitable for fun events.
  • Kundan Jewelry: Kundan jewellery looks royal because it has bright jewels in a molten lac bed. Its sparkle can make anything look more fancy, from tiny earrings to long chains that make a statement. For an extra pop of colour, look for Kundan pieces with Meenakari work (enamel painting).
  • Polki Jewelry: Similar to Kundan jewelry, Polki jewelry has raw diamonds set in gold foil. The raw diamonds give it a unique, rustic look, and the gold setting makes them shine even brighter. Kundan jewelry is often worn with Polki jewelry to create a truly royal look.
  • Thewa Jewelry: Coloured glass is carefully melted onto a gold or silver base to make the jewellery a unique art form from Rajasthan. The colourful floral and geometric designs on Thewa jewellery are great for adding a fun touch to traditional clothes.
  • Minaakari Jewelry: Meenakari is a colourful art form that ensembles small designs onto gold, silver, or brass. The bright colours give traditional jewellery pieces a fun twist. You can wear many kinds of Meenakari jewellery to a party, from simple bangles to chains that make a statement.
  • Lac Jewelry: Lac is a natural resin used to make light jewellery. It is cheap and looks great, so many people wear it every day. Lac jewellery is often decorated with mirrors and bright beads.
  • Fusion Jewelry: Traditional styles are mixed with modern ones in fusion jewellery. Think of sleek gold chains with patterns that look like they belong in a temple or bold earrings that combine Kundan work with geometric shapes. You can wear traditional jewellery with a modern twist when you wear fusion jewellery.

Finding the Right Person-Think About the Event

Now that you know about the different kinds of ethnic Indian jewellery, it's time to choose those pieces carefully. Here's how to pick out the right clothes for the event:

  • Marriage: At an Indian wedding, the girl is undoubtedly the centre of attention. Bridal jewellery sets commonly include a heavy chain, fancy earrings, a statement maang tikka (headpiece), bangles, a kamarband (waistband), and anklets. Choose Kundan, Polki, or jadau (precious crystal) jewellery if you want to look fancy.
  • Festivals: From Diwali's bright colours to Dussehra's joy, festivals are a chance to show how happy you are. You can find bright jewellery set in Meenakari or Lac or bold pieces with temple designs. Feel free to try out big chains, chunky bracelets, and fancy jhumkas (earrings).
  • Formal Events: Kundan or Polki jewellery sets with a more straightforward design will add grace to a formal event. You can dress up your ethnic clothes without making them too busy by adding delicate gold chains with complicated charms or statement earrings with precious stones.
  • Everyday Wear: You can wear ethnic jewellery daily, not just on holidays. For a touch of everyday grace, look for pieces that are light and easy to wear, like thin gold chains, simple bangles made of Meenakari or Lac, or stud earrings with gemstones.

Beyond the Bling: How to Make Your Jewelry Go with Your Outfit

After you think about the event, consider how the jewellery will look with your outfit. Here are some ideas:

  • Balance is Key: For clothes with many embellishments, choose simple jewellery to keep the look from looking too busy. On the other hand, a simple outfit can be made more enjoyable with a collar or earrings with lots of small details.
  • Colour Coordination: Choose jewellery that compliments your outfit's colours. Choose jewellery with different colours to make a statement or jewellery with the same colours for a more put-together look.
  • Harmony at the Neckline: Your outfit's neckline can help you choose the right jewellery. A big necklace looks good with a simple neckline, and thin chains look good with a cropped shirt. For dresses without straps, a collar or a big maang tikka can draw attention to the top of the dress.
  • Material Matters: You should also consider what your clothes are made of. Lighter fabrics like chiffon or silk look great with delicate gold jewellery. On the other hand, brocade or velvet, which are heavier, look great with more vital jewellery with oxidized silver or temple designs.

How to Take Care of Your Ethnic Jewelry Beyond the Basics

It's essential to take good care of your valuable items so they stay beautiful for years to come. Here are some ideas:

  • Intelligent Storage: Store your jewellery in different pouches or compartments to prevent scratching or tangling. For delicate jewellery like Kundan or Meenakari, buy cases that will not let air in.
  • Cleaning Magic: A soft, damp cloth can be used to clean most Indian jewels. Do not use strong chemicals or rough cleaners. For specific cleaning instructions on jewels, talk to a jeweller.
  • Gold Standard: To keep the shine on your gold jewellery, it's best to have it cleaned by a professional every so often.

Want to Buy Fancy Plastic Jewelry?

Even though this guide has focused chiefly on traditional crafts, We also sell many fancy artificial jewellery. If you like to try new trends or want light clothes for regular wear, these beautiful and affordable options are plentiful.

Looking at Online Ethnic Jewelry

The internet has made it easier than ever to find ethnic jewellery online. Attrangi gives you an easy and safe way to browse our collections so you can see the right pieces without leaving your house. We hope this help has given you the confidence to start your journey with ethnic jewellery. 

Have fun shopping!

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